Dallas Police Department

Crime Reporting Procedures

February 16, 2010
 Today’s Discussion
1. Crime has fallen significantly in the City
of Dallas

2. Crime reporting and data accurately

reflects the situation in Dallas and the
current trends

2
 2009 Crime Statistics
• Sixth consecutive year of total crime
reduction
• Total crime down 26% since 2004
• Lowest per capita murder rate in 51 years
and 36% lower than 2004
• Violent crime down 10.5% in 2009

3
 Dallas Total Reported Crime 2004 - 2009

120,000

110,231
110,000
104,357
100,650
97,210
100,000

87,179
90,000

81,585

80,000

70,000

60,000

50,000
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009

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 Dallas Murders 2004 - 2009

300

248
250

202 200
200 187
170 166

150

100

50

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
No Change in Methodology

5
 Dallas Rapes 2004 - 2009

700 665

588
600 562
511 499 485
500

400

300

200

100

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
No Change in Methodology

6
 Dallas Aggravated Assaults 2004 - 2009

9,000
7,863 7,783
8,000
7,292
7,000

6,000
5,315
5,000
4,285
4,069
4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
No Change in Methodology

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 Dallas Robberies 2004 - 2009

8,000
7,466
7,222
6,882 6,914
7,000
6,466

6,000 5,501

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0
2004 2005 2006 2007 2008 2009
No Change in Methodology

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 Factors Contributing to Dallas
Crime Reductions
• Mayor, City Council and City Manager’s
commitment to making public safety the highest
priority
– New Ordinances
• Regulation of scrap metal recyclers
• Convenience store crime reduction regulations
• Mandatory crime reduction program for apartment complexes
• Daytime teen curfew
– Technology
• Fusion Center
• Updated Mobile Data Computers (MDC)
• CAD
• Tireless efforts of Dallas Police Department
employees
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 Factors Contributing to Dallas
Crime Reductions
• Increased uniformed strength by 433 officers
since 2007
– Allowed for expanded use of Beat Policing model
– Permitted vibrant Neighborhood Policing Officer
(NPO) program
• Public/Private partnerships
– Safer Dallas/Better Dallas
– Caruth Police Institute
– Meadows Foundation
• Improved community partnerships
– 10-70-20 Program
– Continued expansion of Volunteer programs
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 DPD Crime Reporting System
• The current DPD crime reporting system was
developed in a thoughtful, transparent manner
and accurately reflects crime in Dallas
– The system employs professional investigative
discretion and common sense
– The methodology is comparable to other peer cities
– DPD continually strives to improve the process when
necessary and warranted
• The Records Management System (RMS) recently approved
by Council will assist in this function

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 DPD Crime Reporting System
• Over the past several years DPD has made
several modifications to more accurately
measure crime:
– Officers were creating crime reports about incidents
that were potentially fraudulent or not criminal in
nature
– DPD was over reporting crime
• Changes were made in a totally transparent
manner to both internal and external
constituents
• Importantly, variations in methodology while
impacting specific numbers, do not change the
message or trends reflecting significant
decreases of crime in Dallas
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 Texas Penal Code
• DPD must follow the Texas Penal Code
and the Code of Criminal Procedure when
making criminal offense reports and
arrests
• DPD must be able to prove the elements
of an offense in accordance with the
Texas Penal Code in order to prosecute
an individual for a crime

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 Summary
• Dallas has enjoyed six consecutive years of
crime reduction due to a variety of sources,
including, the efforts of its citizens, Mayor and
Council, City Staff and the Dallas Police
Department

• The Dallas Police Department’s crime reporting

system hasn’t produced these results but is
reflective of the remarkable efforts of all those
who work every day to make Dallas a safer city
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Questions?

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